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The Debt Situation President Trump Faces is Historic

Did you know that President Trump entered the White House with the highest national debt as a share of the economy than any President other than Harry Truman in 1945?

That’s just one indication that President Trump faces a serious debt situation that requires action. Our partners at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget assessed the state of play in a new study out today. Here are a few more key points to note:

Unlike the debt under President Truman, which began to fall rapidly shortly after World War II ended, debt is projected to rise continuously during Trump’s time in office and beyond.

Federal entitlement programs and interest currently represent a larger share of the budget than under any previous President, leaving relatively less room for defense and non-defense discretionary spending.

If in office for two terms, President Trump could face the insolvency of three major trust funds, and an additional one – the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund – soon after.